Iphones for $149 in January?

From Barrons Online
http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/11/10/trippin-with-trip-one-mans-view-of-carnage-to-come/

Bottom of message
"Apple, he says, is going to start selling iPhones via Costco at $149 starting in January. "

Dan Ross
http://www.BetterBizBooks.com

Social Networking & Company Uses

About 2 minutes in the example comes up re: social media.

Dell & Starbucks are two notable examples I can come up with that are utilizing social media to re-connect with their customers and look for ways to improve their operations. When it doubt ASK THE CUSTOMER!



Dan Ross
http://www.BetterBizIdeas.com

Chinese Economy Slowing Down Quickly

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdaily/2008/11/10/focus-media-warns-on-slowing-china-ad-market-stk-falls/

It wouldn't surprise me to see Chinese stocks down notably tomorrow. After the bell, an industry stalwart (Focus Media) and big chinese holding of many mutual funds/hedge funds announced they are missing guidance slightly this quarter but guiding down EPS estimates SIGNIFICANTLY for next quarter.

Which begs the question.....How much is the Chinese economy slowing down? Will even 5% growth happen next year? Is their stimulus package enough? How much will Google's stock price fall since their EPS is based on advertising as well. Yes, this is China vs. the U.S. but people have been hearing rumors about a slowdown in online advertising spending and an "informal, unofficial" hiring policy per the video below.



Dan Ross
http://www.betterbizbooks.com/

Small Business Tips for Success

Learn from Inc 500 companies & Their Tips


Do what you know


No surprise here. Cash is king, ESPECIALLY in today's environment


Management Strategies & Overhead <--key for today's environment.

Differentiate Your Product (key for branding/marketing). Don't be a "me too" company


Dan Ross
http://www.BetterBizBooks.com

Circuit City Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

This is no suprise to us, right? I've posted about Circuit City and their woes going back to April 15th, when Blockbuster said they would buy them. At the time of the anouncement I believed it was one of the dumbest acquisition announcements I have EVER seen in my life (or read about from older times). Blockbuster, a struggling retailer in their own right and one without a spectacular balance sheet thought they would buy Circuit City on April 15th (tax day as well).
http://betterbizbooks.blogspot.com/2008/04/blockbuster-to-buy-circuit-city-doh.html

By July, Blockbuster woke up (management probably was tired of being told they were the biggest idiots in the room) and backed out of the deal. I know this is bold language but it seemed like a complete "NO BRAINER" type of deal NOT TO DO.

http://betterbizbooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/blockbuster-to-not-buy-circuit-city.html

So lets take a look at some interesting facts about Circuit City and their industry.
1) Their stores are DEAD when it comes to foot traffic vs. Best Buy.

2) I find it interesting that Ultimate Electronics, Tweeter and Circuit City have all died a painful death in the last few years.

3) Linens N Things went into Chapter 11 earlier this year. Recently they went Chapter 7 and began liquidating assets (ie. completely shutting down.) Circuit City announced a 20% store closure last week, big cuts in management LATE last week, Chapter 11 this week and likely, in my opinion, Chapter 7 eventually.

Seriously, these guys have been HEMORHAGING cash for some time, they have NO differentiation vs. Best Buy (me too concept) and people have STOPPED shopping there altogether (at least people I know.) Who will buy a $2000 TV from a bankrupt retailer? We'll see how it plays out in the stores but I am NOT optimistic re: their future.

Dan Ross
http://www.betterbizbooks.com/

Time - Everyone has the same amount....Key to maximum performance

Here are some time management tips for budding entrepreneurs and corporate workers as well.

I have been getting VERY serious about this due a few reasons:

1) I want to read more - I find my mind really gets "WIRED" differently when I am reading. My creative juices get going and I find myself thinking more "outside the box" while at work.

2) I want to lose weight - therefore I need to get cardio in.

3) I want to keep this Blog full of new, fresh content. It takes time to write articles / thoughts, cruise the net, create posts, etc

4) I am getting back into investing in a big way right now. I am actively, as everyone can tell, researching a TON of chinese small to mid cap stocks, energy plays, etc. I hope to make some nice $$$$ in 2009 by making some purchases in the first quarter. Until then I am waiting for the market to consolidate.

As my market update yesterday indicated, I think the market is heading lower so I am not in a rush to buy stocks right now.



Dan Ross
http://www.betterbizideas.com/

China's $586 billion stimulus package announced today

Today China announced a $586 billion spending package to boost domestic demand while vowing to carry out "moderately easy monetary policies." China's Cabinet has approved a plan to invest $586 billion on infrastructure and social welfare by the end of 2010. They also say they will adopt an "active" fiscal policy and will offer tax help of 120 billion yuan to enterprises.



Key Questions/Points:
1) This dwarfs the $150 billion amount the U.S. spent in February to stimulate the economy.

2) Where will the Chinese get the $$$$? That question alone will cause a ripple effect as people will anticipate that they will be buying fewer U.S. treasury bonds and take more of their currency reserves back home with them to spend on their local economy. This might hurt U.S. stocks/bonds further and cause the U.S. stock market to pull back.

3) This should boost Chinese-based companies that do the bulk of their business in China and sell primarily into their economy/market. Remember 50% of their economy is export related.

Dan Ross
http://www.BetterBizIdeas.com